FOXBORO — The Patriots are getting healthier on offense for Sunday’s game against the Bengals.
Running back Rhamondre Stevenson is officially questionable to play Week 12 but was a full participant in practice Friday. Head coach Mike Vrabel expects him to be available against the Bengals.
“I would say there wasn’t many restrictions and that he responded well to the practice,” head coach Mike Vrabel said of Stevenson. “I would say that as long as there are not any setbacks here, he’d be in line to play.”
Stevenson missed three straight games with a toe injury.
Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, who missed two straight games with a hamstring injury, is off the injury report.
“He’s a calming — he’s got a different personality,” Vrabel said of Boutte on Friday. “There’s a calmness to him. And I appreciate that. I think that there’s confidence with the quarterback. I think he’s got — contested catch. He’s shown the ability to do that. He’s strong at the catch point with DBs that are going to be on body. So, I think that helps. It’s good to see him execute earlier in the year. We talked about some of the five-minute stuff, staying in bounds and being somebody that’s reliable.”
The Patriots continued their eight-game winning streak without both players, but the offense had some inconsistent moments.
Stevenson was the Patriots’ starting running back through the first eight weeks of the season despite ball-security issues. He had 83 carries for 279 yards with three rushing touchdowns and three fumbles, and 16 catches for 169 yards before suffering the toe injury.
Rookie TreVeyon Henderson broke out in Stevenson’s absence, following up a 147-yard rushing performance in Week 10 with three touchdowns in Week 11. He now has 100 carries for 492 yards with five rushing touchdowns and 26 catches for 165 yards and one touchdown through the first 11 games of his career.
Henderson showed off his ability to make explosive plays in Week 10 with 69- and 55-yard runs.
Boutte has been one of the NFL’s best deep threats this season, and quarterback Drake Maye struggled to complete long balls without him in the lineup.
The third-year pro ranks second in the NFL with 18.7 yards per catch. He’s caught 23 passes for 431 yards with five touchdowns in a breakout season.
Veteran wide receiver Mack Hollins and rookie Kyle Williams both stepped up in Boutte’s absence. Hollins caught 10 passes for 170 yards in the two games Boutte was out. Williams caught a 72-yard touchdown pass in Week 10.
Boutte’s return could push one of the rookie wide receivers, whether that’s Williams or Efton Chism, who’s been handling kick returns, off the gameday roster.